Top Rick Scott donor blasts campaign’s 'paranoia'

Anderson specifically defended Sellers as an up-and-coming political talent: “In a [business] dominated by men, Melissa Sellers is one of the most talented operatives there is. There is not one person that the Rick Scott campaign would trade her for.”

Fernandez’s broadside wasn’t just directed at Sellers, individually. Copied on his second lengthy email were Florida state Sen. John Thrasher, Scott’s campaign chairman, and Hollingsworth — whom Fernandez assailed for “making enemies out of much needed friends.”

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“Lastly, and if you wish to shoot the messenger, shoot away,” Fernandez said. “Adam may hate me for saying this but I will not say it behind your back. I understand that the Governor has to be the good cop and many times he has to be the bad cop. But, from where I stand, it is way too early and way too aggressively.”

He continued, delivering a stern warning that Scott’s financial base could evaporate: “This is coming from the perception of those on the Governor’s own cheerleaders. … Regional Chairs, big check writers (not lobbyist) and also lobbyist on the finance team. This last group have to protect their values and their pocketbook and if the perception continues and our poll continue as low as they are, this last group will slowly disengage and throw their support behind our opponent.”

Complaints about Scott’s operation — and Hollingsworth in particular — have circulated in Tallahassee on and off since the governor’s inauguration. Florida papers have been mercilessly critical of the governor’s chief of staff, whom the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times revealed had lied about having a college degree he never earned.

Sellers is a relatively new addition to Scott’s operation: A former spokeswoman for Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, Sellers served as Scott’s official spokeswoman before taking on the campaign manager job earlier this year.

Fernandez’s furious departure from Scott’s campaign team has rocked the gubernatorial race and launched several waves of negative headlines for the governor. Scott’s vast personal wealth has the potential to cushion any financial blow to the campaign.

Still, some Scott supporters — apparently including Fernandez — worry that the weaker the governor looks, the more appealing Crist will become for opportunistic donors seeking influence with Scott’s famously malleable challenger.

At the time he wrote to Sellers last month, Fernandez was not yet prepared to cut ties with the Scott team. But he didn’t sound optimistic about his relationship with the campaign.

“I will ask you to share this note with Rick again, but since I am not sure that it will be shared, I will copy Senator Thrasher and Adam,” Fernandez wrote. “I know that I am not making friends within ‘the circle’ but I only operate with the understanding that I will do all I can to get our governor [reelected]. I owe my loyalty to him and only him.”

Fernandez concluded: “I am looking forward to a lively and possibly animated discussion on these issues.”